This paper on the state of general and liberal education in the United States discusses a project which sought to examine and improve general and liberal education programs at the higher education level. The first part of this paper delineates the undermining of liberal education in the nation's colleges and universities following World War II. The second part describes National Project IV, which brought together representatives from 14 diverse colleges and universities to examine conceptions and practices of liberal education from the perspective of their own programs. The third section presents a discussion on the context and content of the 14 programs as they operate within the organizational structure of their particular educational community. Comments and reflections from students in the 14 programs are presented in the fourth part. The fifth part contains a summary of the individual and social benefits accruing from these general and liberal education programs and offers recommendations for improvement. Appendix A summarizes major features of the institutions and the programs that were part of National Project IV, and their curriculum designs. The second and third appendixes summarize characteristics of the 14 institutions, and characteristics of students participating in the programs. (JD)